GILGIT, March 11: Thousands of women and men of the Nomal village have initiated plantation and land development work in Chilmisdas.

Speaking at a press conference here on Thursday representatives of the Nomal village told reporters that they could not wait for the government decision regarding the propriety rights of the land as they had been enjoying pasture rights over Chilmisdas since the rule of Maharaja in the 18th century.

"The Maharaja regime in the 18th century, for the first time had initiated land settlement plan under the then administrator of settlements, Thaukur Singh," they claimed.

They said that since then a clear demarcation had been set between Gilgit Town and Nomal village at Astan Slam which was a proof of their rights over the land.

They claimed that successive governments had also recognized their rights over the land and they presented copies of some of the court verdicts in their favour.

Replying to a question, the representatives said that they were ready to give 200-acre of land for Karakoram International University and dispelled the impression that the issue had anything to do with the sectarian politics.

They refuted claims of proprietary rights by the people of Gilgit town, and said that their case had already been dismissed by the court of law. They said they were always ready for dialogue with any party without compromising their propriety rights over the land.